{"title":"Dr. Ben Francis","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Ben Francis\u003c\/strong\u003e offers insightful explorations into the intricacies of arts and culture, weaving thoughtful analysis with engaging narratives. His work often challenges perceptions and invites readers to consider the deeper impact of creativity and cultural expression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom evocative storytelling to reflective essays, readers can expect a rich examination of the forces that shape artistic experiences and societal values. Titles like \u003cem\u003eCareful the Spell You Cast\u003c\/em\u003e showcase his ability to blend thought-provoking themes with accessible prose.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"careful-the-spell-you-cast-by-dr-ben-francis-9781350281851","title":"Careful the Spell You Cast","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStephen Sondheim is one of the best-known and most-loved musical theatre composers, but also one of the most misunderstood, often being labelled as 'distant' or 'cynical'. \u003ci\u003eCareful the Spell You Cast\u003c\/i\u003e instead argues that Sondheim firmly belongs to the Broadway aspirational tradition, in that many of his characters are defined by their dreams: to abandon one's dream (as Ben does in \u003ci\u003eFollies\u003c\/i\u003e, Frank does in \u003ci\u003eMerrily We Roll Along\u003c\/i\u003e, and Addison does in \u003ci\u003eRoad Show\u003c\/i\u003e) is to lose one's soul.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRather than take the established view of Sondheim as a cynic, this book contends that throughout Sondheim's work, letting go of one's illusions is a process that his characters need to go through. They must cast off illusions and false dreams, without becoming cynical and destroying their genuine dreams in the process. In turn, this view aligns Sondheim's work as being aspirational and a logical continuation from the work of his mentor, Oscar Hammerstein II.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the trajectory of Sondheim's career, \u003ci\u003eCareful the Spell You Cast\u003c\/i\u003e shows how Sondheim has dramatized this process throughout his writing life alongside different collaborators. From his work as a lyricist with the musicals \u003ci\u003eGypsy\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eWest Side Story\u003c\/i\u003e through to his later collaborations with Hal Prince (\u003ci\u003eCompany, Follies\u003c\/i\u003e) and James Lapine (\u003ci\u003eInto the Woods, Sunday in the Park with George\u003c\/i\u003e), this book reframes the established view through lyrical and structural analysis in relation to the characters within each of these celebrated works of musical theatre, arguing that Sondheim is, in the popular sense of the word, a romantic within the tradition of the Broadway musical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47470233977068,"sku":"9781350281851","price":43.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781350281851-careful-the-spell-you-cast.jpg?v=1775214326"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/dr-ben-francis.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}